Patents Examined by Lien Ngo
  • Collapsible hopper bin
    Patent number: 9580237
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a collapsible hopper bin having a dispensing portion and a storage portion. The dispensing portion includes first and second opposing side walls and first and second opposing end walls. The storage portion includes first and second opposing side walls and first and second opposing end walls. The storage portion first and second side walls are hingedly attached to the dispensing portion first and second side walls. The storage portion first and second end walls are hingedly attached to the dispensing portion first and second end walls. The collapsible hopper bin has a collapsed position and a filled position. The storage portion first and second end walls and first and second side walls are substantially horizontally flat along the top of the dispensing portion in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: ORBIS Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Nolan, Link Jay Greiveldinger, Leslie Allen Wagner, Joachim Banik
  • Water bottle
    Patent number: 9565923
    Abstract: Fluid carrying apparatus having an outer helical tubular casing which, in use, holds fluid, and an inner helical tubular member within the outer helical tubular casing through which the fluid can be delivered from the outer helical tubular casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Talin Leask
  • Bottle for upright and inverted use
    Patent number: 9555939
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing container is provided having a cap assembly preventing dispensing of fluid therefrom prior to both an alignment of markers and a pivoting of a nozzle which helps prevent use by children lacking dexterity and knowledge for achieving concurrent positioning of the nozzle and markers. A tamper alarm prior to purchase is provided by a pillar and tab preventing dispensing until removed, which if removed, provide a visually discernable alarm to tampering with the container. The container is capable of inverted dispensing with upward projection of fluid by the pivoting nozzle engaged with a cap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Marwan Chehadeh
  • Resettable count-up timer for beverage dispense
    Patent number: 9554667
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system which includes a server, a sensing system coupled to the server for detecting a quantity of beverage retained in the server, a display coupled to the sensing system, and a count-up timer coupled to the system. The display may provide indicia as to the time and/or freshness of the beverage in the server. A method for sensing and displaying a quantity of beverage in a beverage server which can also include a freshness indicator. A resettable timer is incorporated which cannot be reset until at least the sensing system has been physically or operatively uncoupled from the server. The resetting may also require the sensing system to detect an empty server upon recoupling the sensing system with the server. Further, the resetting may also require monitoring a refill function for refill occurring within a predetermined rate parameter or time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel A. Giordano, Burton L. Hart, John T. Knepler
  • Measured dose dispensers and methods of using the same
    Patent number: 9555426
    Abstract: A dispensing closure for dispensing a flowable product from a squeeze-type product container includes a closure body having an upper deck, an exit orifice, a flow conduit providing a flow path to the exit orifice, and a skirt configured to attach to a product container. A measuring reservoir is received in engagement with a lower surface of the upper deck. The measuring reservoir is filled with a measured dose of flowable product through flow ports when the container is inverted. A piston valve is slidably movable within the measuring reservoir between an open position and a closed position. The piston valve is movable from the open position to the closed position to dispense the measured dose of product responsive to pressure within the container induced by squeezing normally biases the piston valve to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: WESTROCK SLATERSVILLE, LLC
    Inventor: Clifford W. Skillin
  • Liquid material discharge mechanism and liquid material discharge device
    Patent number: 9540225
    Abstract: The present invention provides a discharge mechanism has a drive unit that moves a rod reciprocally, and a discharge unit including a liquid chamber allowing the rod to pass therein and a valve seat communicated with a nozzle, the nozzle discharging a liquid mixed with solid particles with an operation of moving the valve seat and a tip of the rod relatively away from each other. The discharge unit includes an inflow path through which the liquid mixed with the solid particles flows into the liquid chamber, and an outflow path through which the liquid mixed with the solid particles in the liquid chamber flows out. The inflow path and the outflow path are connected in a V-shape, the liquid chamber is disposed in a valley portion of the V-shape, and the valve seat is disposed at a lower end of the V-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: MUSASHI ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
  • Wet/dry sheet dispenser and method of using
    Patent number: 9532684
    Abstract: A wet/dry sheet dispenser. The dispenser has an elongate refill which holds a liquid and fits into a complementary base. Liquid is selectively dispensed from the refill by longitudinal activation of a pump. The pump may be disposed on either the refill or base. Liquid flows from the refill, into the base and is ultimately dispensed onto a sheet. This arrangement allows for convenient and selective one hand pump operation, so the other hand is free to grasp the sheet. The sheet may be used wet or dry as desired at the point of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paulus Antonius Augustinus Hoefte, Olga Lahuerta Salas, Kris Adriaenssens, Pedro Vincent Vandecappelle
  • Dip tube insertion member for facilitating insertion of a dip tube into a container without removing the container cap
    Patent number: 9527639
    Abstract: A dip tube insertion member adapted to be used with a liquid dispensing apparatus. The dip tube insertion member facilitates insertion of a dip tube into a liquid storage container without removing the sealing cap of a liquid storage container. The dip tube insertion member includes a probe having a hollow cavity for receiving a dip tube. The probe further includes an upper opening and a lower opening for facilitating insertion of a dip tube into the liquid container. Preferably, the dip tube insertion member takes the form of a cap that is mounted on and about at least a portion of the sealing cap of a liquid storage container of the liquid dispensing apparatus. The dip tube insertion member preferably includes a sealing member forming an air chamber surrounding the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Cardomon International Limited
    Inventor: Philip A. Walton
  • Easy-to-use container
    Patent number: 9527636
    Abstract: A container and dispenser in conical shape for edible or non-edible substances is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: PINAR HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventor: Pieter Weyts
  • Pump dispenser for a flexible press-on container lid
    Patent number: 9517483
    Abstract: A pump dispenser assembly is provided with a rigid or semi-rigid container having a mounting bead at the rim, a flexible lid with an annular mounting portion for gripping the mounting bead, a rigid member laid atop the flexible lid and spanning the rim of the container, and a fluid pump inserted through aligned holes through the flexible lid and rigid member. With this arrangement, a fluid can be pumped out from within the container, without substantial flexing of the flexible lid under the pumping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Jay S. Derman
  • Push button for a system for dispensing under pressure a product
    Patent number: 9511925
    Abstract: A push button for a system for dispensing a product under pressure, the push button comprising an inner nozzle assembly which presents an upstream spout a lower end thereof intends to be mounted on a under pressure feed tube of the product. The inner nozzle assembly comprises a downstream spout which is in communication with the upstream spout and which ends in an outlet for dispensing under pressure the product. The push button comprises an outer body having a skirt which surrounds the inner nozzle assembly and an upper plate which comprises an upper zone for actuating the system for dispensing, the inner nozzle assembly being mounted within the outer body through a sliding guide until reaching a coupling position wherein the upstream spout is centered on first locking means provided below the upper plate and wherein the downstream spout is snapped on second locking means provided on the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ALBEA DO BRASIL EMBALAGENS LTDA
    Inventor: Aldo Fadel Edenilson
  • Method and apparatus for dispensing frozen confections
    Patent number: 9504267
    Abstract: A method for dispensing a frozen confection is provided the method comprising: providing a refrigerated, insulated chamber, which houses at least one container, containing a frozen confection at a temperature of ?12° C. or below; wherein the at least one container has an outlet which is closed by a self-closing valve; wherein the container comprises flexible bag containing the frozen confection located inside a bottle; pressurizing gas in the region inside the bottle and outside the flexible bag thereby applying pressure to the frozen confection so that the valve opens and the frozen confection is forced out of the container through the outlet; releasing the pressure so that the valve closes. An apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: CONOPCO, INC.
    Inventor: Tommaso D'Agostino
  • Manually operated dispenser for media
    Patent number: 9505016
    Abstract: Manually operated dispenser for media, with a reservoir (1), with a pump part (2) which is mounted on the reservoir (1) and comprises a nozzle-shaped discharge portion (3) with a discharge portion end (5) having a discharge opening (4), with an actuation mechanism (6) assigned to the pump part (2), and with a protective cap (7) covering at least the discharge portion end (5), wherein a soft porous insert (8) is inserted into the protective cap (7) and can be pressed when the protective cap (7) is fitted from above onto the discharge portion end (5), and the discharge portion (3) forms a stand surface (9) for a free end (10) of a torsion spring (11), which is clamped in the protective cap (7) and whose loading introduces a torque that turns the protective cap (7) relative to the discharge portion (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: WestRock Dispensing Systems Hemer GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Thiede, Thomas Gratzfeld, Gisbert Welp
  • Spill-preventing snack container and dispenser
    Patent number: 9505530
    Abstract: A food dispensing container having a removable dispensing member that includes a hinged flow gate configured to cover, in a closed position, a corresponding aperture in a bottom of a dispensing compartment of the dispensing member. The dispensing member also includes a hinged lid configured to cover a top of the dispensing compartment, the hinged lid having a notch that allows a range of rotation of the hinged flow gate when the hinged lid is in a closed position covering the top of the dispensing compartment and the rotation of the hinged flow gate opening the corresponding aperture when the food dispensing container is tilted from an upright position. The hinged lid and the hinged flow gate interlock, limiting the hinged flow gate to the closed position, when the hinged lid is in an open position uncovering the top of the dispensing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: BIG MONSTER TOYS LLC
    Inventors: Paul Gordon Downey, Robert James Civettini, Donald Alfred Rosenwinkel
  • Fluid pressure regulation system for fluid-dispensing systems
    Patent number: 9501067
    Abstract: A system actively regulates the fluid pressure entering the pump of a fluid-dispensing system to provide a more uniform fluid flow exiting the pump. The pump is supplied with fluid from a pressurized reservoir (e.g., that is pressurized from an external air source, or by mechanical or electrically-driven pressurization). A pressure sensor monitors the fluid pressure in the fluid supply line between the reservoir and pump. A controller receives this fluid pressure reading as an input to regulate the pressurization of the reservoir. Optionally, a second pressure sensor can be used to monitor the fluid pressure at the pump exit to provide an additional input for the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: GPD Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian R. Vega, John W. Kohler, Alvin R. Miller
  • Aerosol container nozzle and aerosol container dispenser
    Patent number: 9499329
    Abstract: This invention makes it possible to spray liquid content while a cleaning member is mounted to a nozzle main body and remove residual liquid without pulling out the cleaning member from the nozzle main body. A nozzle includes a body 10 that presses down two stems 6 together, and a cleaning member 20 having two ejection ports 1a and capable of moving relative to the body 10. The body 10 is removably mounted to the stems 6, the cleaning member 20 is slidably inserted into an ejection-side passage R2 and has two tubular parts 21. Each of the tubular parts 21 forms a space R4 that connects a stem-side passage R1 to an annular cross section passage R3 when the cleaning member 20 is pulled out, while reduces this space R4 to thereby remove a residual material C when the cleaning member 20 is pushed in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOYO AEROSOL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken Ogata, Hirokazu Shimizu, Toru Toma, Kotaro Fujiwara
  • Flexible bag having a spout and a fitment assembly
    Patent number: 9499314
    Abstract: A spout and fitment assembly for a flexible bag. The spout comprises a base flange, a cylindrical upstand and a fitment coupling. The base flange is configured to be coupled to a flexible bag. The cylindrical upstand extends from the base flange. The cylindrical upstand defines a passageway therealong which is placeable in fluid communication with the flexible bag. The fitment coupling extends from the cylindrical upstand between the proximal end and the distal end thereof. The fitment assembly comprises a fitment body and a hose. The hose is coupled to the hose connection portion. The connector portion is sealingly engaged with the fitment coupling so as to place the inner bore in fluid communication with the passageway of the cylindrical upstand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventors: Alex Fan, Kyle Erickson
  • Pourable spout with child proof mechanism
    Patent number: 9493280
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include a pouring spout assembly for a container. In some embodiments, the pouring spout assembly may include a first conduit, a second conduit, a third conduit, a fourth conduit, a handle, and a spout lock. The second conduit may be positionable, during use, in a distal end of the first conduit. The third conduit may be positionable, during use, in a proximal end of the first conduit. The fourth conduit may be coupled to the second conduit. When the second conduit is in a first position liquids and gases may be inhibited from being conveyed through the pouring spout assembly. When the second conduit is in a second position gases are allowed to convey through the pouring spout assembly. When the second conduit is in a third position liquids are allowed to convey through the pouring spout assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventors: William R. Wilkinson, Zachary A. Wilkinson
  • Child-resistant closure systems for containers
    Patent number: 9480802
    Abstract: A child-resistant closure system for a pump sprayer comprises a cap, a dispensing tip configured to receive the cap thereon, and a base secured to the dispensing tip and secured to a dispenser bottle. The tip has a slot defined therein that comprises a wider insertion/removal portion for inserting or removing a downwardly extending leg and a narrower locking portion for engaging the leg to lock the cap to the dispensing tip. The cap is selectively secured to the dispensing dip by rotating the cap such that the leg moves from the wider portion of the slot to the narrower portion of the slot, such that the narrower portion of the slot engages leg. The leg extends downward through the slot to contact the top of the base so as to allow for the sprayer pump unit to be locked out from operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TAPTANGO, LLC
    Inventors: Launce R. Barber, Thomas J. A. Zuber, Corey R. Vaughan
  • Closed loop connector for dispensing systems
    Patent number: 9469452
    Abstract: A closed loop dispensing system comprises a connector connectable to a container for selectively dispensing the fluids from the container. The connector includes an outer cap having a first passage with an interior surface. The first passage can have variable cross-sectional areas over different regions of the first passage. The connector comprises a plug slidingly movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein, the plug allows passage of fluids present in the container in the open position, and the plug prevents passage of fluids out of the container in the closed position. The plug can have a variable cross-sectional area thereby preventing the plug from being disengaged with the outer cap or sliding out of the connector and into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Schultz, Jr., Thaddeus Feiler, Erika Theresa Erlandson, Peter Swenson